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The Mersey Gateway Project team has submitted three planning applications to Halton Borough Council detailing modifications to the £600 million scheme.
The project team is aiming to make the changes to reduce the impact of the scheme on residents, to save £30 million and to deliver design improvements and flexibility along the route of the new six-lane toll bridge over the Mersey between the towns of Runcorn and Widnes.
The plans have now been lodged with Halton Borough Council’s planning department. Once they have been validated they will be available to view online or in person at Halton Direct Link offices in Runcorn and Widnes.
The proposed modifications to the road layouts on either side of the river will reduce projected traffic levels on local routes around Halton Brow in Runcorn, and remove the need for large toll plazas in Widnes.
The open road tolling system will mean using cameras and modern technology to record vehicle recognition details for the collection of tolls for crossing both the new bridge and the Silver Jubilee Bridge.
Drivers will still be charged for crossing the river, but the toll plazas that were to have been developed in Widnes will not be built, and traffic will be more free-flowing.
On the Runcorn side of the river the proposed modifications have largely been developed as a result of listening to previous concerns from local residents and councillors. The project team has adjusted the plans for the slip roads at either side of Halton Brow to reduce projected peak time traffic levels on the slip road alongside Warrington Road by up to 60% and to improve access to facilities at Halton Lea.
The applications also cover possible design modifications for the new bridge. The route of the new crossing is not being changed but the project team would like to increase the design flexibility available to specialist contractors who will be responsible for confirming the design of the new bridge taking into account the proposed construction methods.
The design modifications to the main bridge under consideration would not accommodate a future light rail scheme and if these were adopted the Council would use the Silver Jubilee Bridge, rather than the new bridge, for future public transport services, including any future light rail proposals.
(CD/GK)
